Measuring Level of Compliance of Publishers with the Legal Deposit of Pakistan: An Exploration

Abstract

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to explore the situation of print publication in Pakistan and further develop feasible and reliable methods/techniques that can be used to measure the level of compliance to the depository law of the country. This study was the first attempt of its kind in measuring the compliance level of Pakistani publishers using the check list techniques which has been contiguous for four years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013. The sample technique (indicator A1.1.4.2 b) was selected by considering numerous list checking techniques, either proposed by ISO, ISO/TR 28118:2009 or Koninklijke Bibliotheek (KB) studies and Penzhorn studies. 200 commercial publishers from Lahore and Rawalpindi, in an equal ratio, were selected through convenience sampling. The analysis of existing data was carried out to obtain figures indicating the number/percentages of books delivered as legal deposit. It revealed a compliance rate of 18% to 30% which is very low in view of most countries who claim to have 100% or nearly a 100% compliance. The compliance of larger publishers is better as compared to medium and smaller publishers. The compliance rate of English books is comparatively better but Urdu books and especially Islamic books’ compliance rate is not up to the mark. It also revealed that the publication of PNB (Pakistan National Bibliography) was not consistent till 1999 but after that period the national bibliography was published annually. However, the coverage of the 2014 publication was late. This type of exploration has never been conducted previously and the main goal of this project is related to its innovative and creative role in recognizing the applied matters that are confronted in the jurisdiction of depository law in Pakistan and this study will help to initiate more detailed and comprehensive studies.